San Francisco, CA -- San Francisco Opera’s popular Bohème Out of the Box returns to Bay Area communities this spring and summer. The free outdoor performances of an abridged version of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème kick off in April with stops at Burlingame’s Washington Park at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 and at Alameda’s Radium Runway at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21. Puccini’s beloved opera about love and loss among a group of bohemian artists will be performed in an intimate 75-minute version on a converted shipping-container-turned-mobile opera stage.

Families with young children are invited to participate in free First Act Workshops 45 minutes before showtime at all Bohème Out of the Box performances. Explore Puccini’s La Bohème and get to know the passionate artists in the story. Bring along a favorite stuffed-animal friend and dance to “Musetta’s Waltz,” one of the most famous melodies in all of opera.

Directed by Jose Maria Condemi, Bohème Out of the Box is sung in Italian with English narration and features a cast of San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellows and guest artists with piano accompaniment. Live English supertitles will be available via personal mobile devices.

The cast for all performances features (*current San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow): Caroline Corrales* (Mimì), Christopher Oglesby (Rodolfo), Samuel Kidd* (Marcello), Georgina Adams* (Musetta), James McCarthy* (Colline), Jongwon Han* (Schaunard) and Philip Skinner (Benoit/Alcindoro), with pianists Julian Grabarek* and Yang Lin*, and narration by Michael Bragg. The creative/technical team includes: Jose Maria Condemi (Stage Director), Cassandra Carpenter (Costume Consultant), Ryan O’Steen (Set Coordinator) and Justin A. Partier (Lighting Director).

Launched last year as part of the Company’s Centennial Season, Bohème Out of the Box brings La Bohème’s powerful emotions and soaring music to outdoor locations throughout the Bay Area. Though the first 2023 shows scheduled for Alameda were canceled due to inclement weather, the mobile-stage production was performed for audiences in South San Francisco, Los Gatos and Dublin.

Bohème Out of the Box hits the road again this June with performances in Albany (June 27 at 1 p.m.) and Union City (June 29 at 1 p.m./Bohème Out of the Box and 3:30 p.m./SF Opera Out of the Box: Adler Fellows in Concert). In addition to this season’s free public performances in the Peninsula and East Bay, Bohème Out of the Box also plans to travel to Silicon Valley this spring to present free staff performances at tech/corporate campuses. 

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA PRESENTS BOHÈME OUT OF THE BOX

Bohème Out of the Box runs approximately 75 minutes with no intermission and features piano accompaniment. Performed by San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows and guest artists in Italian with English narration. Live English supertitles will be available on personal mobile devices.

Bohème Out of the Box is a free event. Registration at sfopera.com/box is encouraged but not required. Admission/seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at many of the locations or nearby, and audiences are welcome to bring their own food and beverages to enjoy during the shows.

Casting and schedule subject to change. For more information, including directions, parking, public transit and event updates, visit sfopera.com/box.

PLEASE NOTE: In the event of rain and inclement weather, these outdoor performances may be cancelled or delayed. Register at sfopera.com/box to receive updates via email or follow @sfopera on social media.

Free First Act Workshops: Families with young children are invited to participate in free First Act Workshops 45 minutes before showtime at all Bohème Out of the Box performances. Explore Puccini’s La Bohème and get to know the passionate artists in the story. Bring along a favorite stuffed-animal friend and dance to “Musetta’s Waltz,” one of the most famous melodies in all of opera.

BURLINGAME—Washington Park, 850 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame

Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 1:15 p.m.—First Act Workshop for families

Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 2 p.m.—Bohème Out of the Box

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 1:15 p.m.—First Act Workshop for families

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 2 p.m.— Bohème Out of the Box

Washington Park is a vibrant center for Burlingame recreation, boasting a beautiful and recently renovated Community Center. Nestled in the center of the Bay Area’s Peninsula region, the outdoor Bohème Out of the Box performances will take place steps away from a Caltrain stop and Burlingame Avenue, with its many shops and eateries. Chairs will be provided at the parking lot performance location (available on a first-come, first-served basis), and audiences are welcome to bring their own seating. Food and beverages will be available for purchase onsite. This event is presented in partnership with the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department.

ALAMEDA—Radium Runway, 2151 Ferry Point, Alameda

Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 1:15 p.m.—First Act Workshop for families

Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 2 p.m.—Bohème Out of the Box

Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 1:15 p.m.—First Act Workshop for families

Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2 p.m.—Bohème Out of the Box

In partnership with the City of Alameda and RADIUM Presents, an initiative to establish a performing arts center in Alameda catering to the needs of the local East Bay arts community, Bohème Out of the Box will be performed at Radium Runway, a short walk from the Seaplane Ferry Terminal. With the San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge as the backdrop, seating will be on the concrete taxiway, covered with an artificial lawn. Audiences are encouraged to bring blankets or low camp chairs (a limited number of folding chairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis). Food and beverages will be available for purchase onsite.